Signal type torque indicating wrench



H. R. BaLLETER SIGNAL TYPE ToRQUE INDICATING WRENCH 2 Sheets-Sheet lFiled Dec. 2, 1945 Oct. 25, 1949 H. R. BHLLETER SIGNAL TYPE TORQUEINDICATING WRENCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2, 1945 Willa/M0 y .BY v

Patented Oct. 25, 1949 SIGNAL TYPE TORQUE INDICATING WRENCH Henry RobertBilleter, Highland Park, Ill., as-

signor to Ammco Tools, Inc., a corporation of Illinois ApplicationDecember 2, 1943, Serial No. 512,560

22 Claims.

My invention relates to torque indicating wrenches and it has to do moreparticularly With wrenches of the foregoing character adapted forindicating the force or torque applied thereby to work such as nuts,bolts, studs and the like.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved torqueindicating wrench of the foregoing character which is simple inconstruction, is compact, durable and of light weight, and which isadapted to indicate the force or torque applied in a highly accuratemanner.

Another object is to provide an improved torque indicating wrench of thetype wherein the application of a predetermined force or torque to thework is indicated by the giving of a signal such as the flashing of alight.

A further object is to provide an improved flash type torque indicatingwrench wherein the entire wrench mechanism, including the flash signalmeans, is self-contained within a small and rigid casing.

Still another object is to provide an improved wrench of the foregoingcharacter that may be easily and quickly adjusted to flash a signal uponthe application of varying forces or pressures to the work, thearrangement being such that the operator may accurately preset thewrench to cause it to flash a signal upon the application of any forceor torque to the work within a given force or torque range.

A further object is to provide a flash type torque indicating wrenchhaving a minimum number of parts arranged to reduce wear to the minimum,thereby tending to insure uniform and accurate functioning of the torqueindicating means at all times.

Another object is to provide a wrench of the foregoing character whereinwear, if it should occur, may be compensated for merely by adjustment ofthe indicating means thereby avoiding replacement of parts, and otherrepair work which would tend to take the wrench out of service for anappreciable length of time. This feature of my invention insures thatthe wrench will remain in service, functioning accurately, for a longtime. By this feature of my invention I may also compensate formanufacturing inaccuracies, thereby facilitating the production of ahighly accurate wrench in the rst instance.

Still another object is to provide a torque indispect my inventionenables the use of an accurate, uniform scale which is easily read bythe operator, thereby facilitating the adjustment of the wrench andinducing accurate handling thereof.

An additional object is to provide a torque indicating wrench of theforegoing character having a beam or spring bar member disposed betweena pair of relatively displaceable members (one adapted to be engagedwith the work and the other adapted to be grasped by the operator), thearrangement being such that the effective length of the beam or barremains constant at all times in the operation of the wrenchnotwithstanding the adjustment of the wrench to indicate different or'varied pressures applied to the work. This feature of my inventioninsures greater accuracy and avoids conditions tending to complicatecalibration of the wrench.

A further object is to provide a wrench of the foregoing characterwherein a signal is given when a predetermined force or torque isapplied to the work by engaging a pair of relatively movable contactelements with each other to complete an electrical circuit, thearrangement being such that the force or torque at which the signal isgiven is varied solely by varying the distance the contact elements haveto move to engage each other and complete the electrical circuit.

Still another object is to provide a Wrench of the foregoing characterwherein the extent of relative movement of the contact elements isdetermined by the extent of relative displacement of the relativelydisplaceable members which carry the contact elements, which latterrelative displacement is determined by the extent of' flexing of theconstant-length beam or spring bar, the extent of flexing of which isdetermined by the force or torque or pressure applied to the work.

A more specific object is to provide a wrench of the foregoing characterwherein the flexible bar or beam is xedly secured at one end to one ofthe relatively displaceable members and its other end is adapted toengage an axially adjustable abutment on the other of the displaceablemembers, the arrangement being such that the relative movement of thecontact elements to engage them is varied by shifting the beam or barabutment axially without varying the effective flexing length of thebeam or bar.

A further specic object is to provide a wrench of the foregoingcharacter wherein the axially adjustable beam or bar abutment has atapered surface adapted to be abutted by the free end of the beam whenpressure is applied to the work, the arrangement being such that axialadjustment of the abutment relative to the beam varies initial relativedisplacement of the displaceable members which carry the contactelements to thereby vary the relative movement of the contact elementsrequired to engage them with each other when pressure is applied to thework.

A further specic object is to provide a wrench of the foregoingcharacter wherein each of the relatively displaceable members carries anelectrical contact element, which contact elements are normally spacedapart and which when engaged complete an electrical circuit foractuation of the flash means, the arrangement being such that thedisplaceable members are initially displaced to variable extents toinitially space apart the contact elements to Variable extents,

to, in turn, vary the pressure at which the signal is given showing theapplication of a predetermined force or torque.

Further objects are to provide an arrangement 'of the foregoingcharacter wherein at least one of the contact elements is adjustablerelative to its support to predetermine an exact zero position of thewrench, and to vary the pressure at which the contact elements willbecome engaged in the use of any particular beamy and to compensate forwear, if any should occur, without recalibrating the wrench; to providea wrench of the foregoing character wherein the beam, contact elements,and other operating parts are mounted in and retained in rigid alignmentrelative to a supporting casing or housing, thereby providing a compactself-contained unitary structure by which wear is reduced to the minimumand accuracy, notwithstanding rough handling and usage, is assured; toprovide audible indexing means cooperating with the adjusting means forholding the latter in predetermined adjusted positions; to provideimproved means for adjusting the bar or beam abutment axially of thebeam, the arrangement being such that the accuracy of the wrench doesnot depend upon the t of the abutment in its support, the abutment beingcapable of slight lateral shift movement under the pressure exerted bythe end of the beam to seat such abutment uniformly at all times againstits support when pressure is applied to the wrench; to provide a wrenchof the foregoing character which always indicates and operates from anexact zero position; to provide a wrench having all of the foregoingadvantages which is easy to assemble and disassemble in manufacture,repair, etc.; to provide a wrench of the foregoing character which isadapted to perform its functions in a highly eiiicient manner when thewrench is used to tighten either right-hand or left-hand work, thearrangement being such that when the wrench is applied to a piece ofwork it is operative to accurately register pressures applied eitherclockwise or counterclockwise; and to provide a wrench of the foregoingcharacter which lends itself to the use of a simplified electricalcircuit.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this descriptionprogresses and by references to the drawings wherein,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of wrench embodying myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view v of the wrench shownin Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged separated longitudinal sectional view of theadjusting sleeve shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged separated elevational view of the adjustable beamor bar abutment;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged separated longitudinal sectional view of thewrench casing section in which the beam or spring bar is mounted;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. l0 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical circuit embodiedin the wrench shown in the drawings.

The wrench shown in the drawings comprises a cylindrical housing IU(Figs. 2 and 3) having a forward or beam section or casing I I and arear or handle section or casing I2 rigidly and fixedly joined togetheras a single unit by a threaded connection I3. It is to be understoodthat this housing II) may take any suitable shape but, preferably,cylindrical to provide a compact, lightweight and durable structure.

A so-called work-engaging member I5 is pivotally mounted in the forwardend of the casing II. The housing I0 and work-engaging,r member I5 areat times referred to herein as relatively displaceable members.

The work-engaging member I5 (Figs. 2 4) is provided with aparti-spherical head portion I5a which is adapted to seat at I5b againstthe wall of the casing II and which is retained pivotally within thecasing by a pin I6 passing through an opening in the member I5 with itsopposite ends journaled in suitably provided openings I'I' indiametrically disposed portions of the casing II. The forward end of thecasing I I is open and the work-engaging member I5 is provided with alorwardly projecting shank l5c which is adapted to receive awork-adapter I8 ((Figs 2 and The shank I5c is provided with the usualspringpressed ball adapted to seat in the inner end of either of twodiametrically opposed openings I8a in the adapter I8 for latching thelatter in place thereon. The adapter I8 is provided with a squared shankIBb of usual form having a springpressed ball adapted to latchinglysecure a socket or other desired work-engaging means thereon. It is tobe understood that the adapter I8 may take any suitable form necessaryfor carrying out the particular Work for which the wrench may be used.For example, one may use an ordinary jaw-type adapter which is adaptedto be engaged directly with the work without the use of furtherwork-engaging means.

Relative rock movement or displacement between the work-engaging memberI5 and the housing I0 is yieldingly opposed by a flexible beam whenpressure is applied to the work. Specically, the work-engaging member I5is provided with a rearwardly extending arm I 5d, which terminates in anintegral tubular and flexible beam member I9. The end of the beam I9opposite the work-engaging member I5 is free and is adapted toabuttingly engage an adjustable part on the casing when pressure isapplied tc the Work thereby yieldably resisting relative movement of thework-engaging member and housing I0. The terms pressure, force andtorque are used synonymously herein.

The foregoing arrangement is such that, when pressure is applied t0 apiece ci work through the wrench, the free end of the beam I9 isoperably engaged with the casing I I so that the pres- :ricains sureapplied to the handle I2 and casing I I passes therefrom to thework-engaging member I5 solely through the beam I9. Whenever thepressure exerted is such, or the resistance offered by the Work is suchas to overcome the initial tension of the beam, the beam Will flex,permitting relative displacement between the casing II and work-engagingmember I5. However, in the normal or no-pressure condition of thewrench, and with the beam I9 disposed concentrically with respect to thecasing, the beam is out of engagementv with the casing and in the use ofthe Wrench, when applied to a piece of work, a small displacement may berequired between the members il and I5 to initially engage the beam I9with the casing Il. In fact, when no pressure is applied to the wrenchthe free end of the beam I9 is more or less floating and it may assumeany-free position permitted within the casing; but whenever pressure isapplied it is rmly engaged at its free end with the casing I I.

In carrying out my invention, the free end of the beam I9 is operablyengaged with the casing II through an axially-adjustable sleeve 29(Figs. 2, 3 and 7) mounted Within the casing II and having an opening 2Iwhich receives the free end of the beam I9. The sleeve opening 2I is offrusto-conical shape providing a beam-engaging wall tapering inwardlyfrom the forward end to the rear end thereof. It will be seen that, byadjusting the sleeve axially of the beam I9 the latter will have to beshifted to greater or lesser extent from a position concentric With thecasing II, dependent upon the direction of adjustment of the sleeve 2G,to engage the free end of the beam or spring bar I9 with suchsleeve and,in turn, operably engage the beam with the casing II. With thisarrangement, the spacing of electrical contacts (to be describedhereinafter) carried by `the work-engaging member I5 and the casing anadjusting sleeve 2 2 (Figs. 1-3, 6) having a knurled grip portion 22a.More particularly, the outer surface of the sleeve 29 is cylindrical andconcentric with the inner wall of the casing II,

the same being of such size as to t freely and slidably within thecasing. The sleeve 20, intermediate its ends, is provided with an outercircumferential groove 23 in which are seated a pair of steel balls 24.opposed points, and in a plane parallel with the axis of theWork-engaging member I5, is provided with a pair of diametricallyopposed slots (Figs. 2 and 8) of sufficient width to snugly accommodatethe balls 24 and of sulcient length to accommodate the range ofadjustment of the sleeve 29. The balls 24 are of sufficient diameter toproject through and beyond the slots 25 where they are seated in a pairof diametrically opposed helical grooves 29 formed in the inner wall ofthe adjusting sleeve 22. When the above-described parts are assembled,the groove 23 of the abutment sleeve 2t? retains the balls` 24 againstaxial displacement along such sleeve and, since the balls 24 are seatedin the helical grooves 26, turning movement of the sleeve 22 propels the`sleeve 20 forwardly or backwardly, dependent upon the direction ofrotation of the sleeve 22. The sleeve 22 is confined against axialdisplacement by seating its rear end against a casing shoulder Thecasing II, at diametrically l I8e and by confining its forward end by acollar 2l secured in position by a locking screw 21a.

When the adjusting sleeve 22 is rotated in the direction of the arrow ofFig. 1, the abutment sleeve 29 is shifted rearwardly relative to thefree end of the beam I9, thereby increasing the distance that the freeend of the beam I9 must be moved from a concentric position to engagethe abutment sleeve 29; and when the sleeve 22 is rotated in theopposite direction, the distance referred to is decreased. In otherwords, when the adjusting sleeve 22 is rotated in the direction of thearrow of Fig. l, the free end of the beam I9 is moved closer to thecasing II in abuttingly engaging the abutment sleeve; and vice versaWhen the adjusting sleeve is rotated in the opposite direction. rl`hisarrangement, as will be more specifically pointed out hereinafter,spaces apart electrical contact elements on the work-engaging and casingmembers I5 and I I to lesser or greater extents requiring lesser 0rgreater flexing of the beam I9 to engage the contact elements with eachother. Also, since the extent of flexing of the beam I9 depends on thepressure applied, the foregoing arrangement provides for adjustment ofthe wrench to signal various applied pressures without changing theeffective flexing length of the beam I9.

The adjusting sleeve 22, forwardly of the knurlecl grip portion 22athereof, is provided with a circumferential scale 22D. The wrench may becalibrated so that the scale lines are spaced to indicate inch pounds orfoot pounds pressure in suitable increments from zero to the fullcapacity of the wrench. The scale lines are adapted to register with anindicating mark 22e on the casing II, and the pressure which the wrenchis set to indicate is that which is indicated by the particular scalemark that registers with the indicating mark 22o. The scale markings areuniformly spaced so that they may be easily read, this being possiblebecause of my arrangement wherein different pressures may be indicatedwithout varying the effective length of the beam I9.

It is desirable that the adjusting sleeve 22 be yieldably retained inadjusted position. I accomplish this by mounting an indexing ring (Figs.2, 3 and 9) between the sleeve 22 and the locking collar 2l. Moreparticularly, the forward end of the adjusting sleeve 22 is counter cutto provide a recess 5I that receives the ring 59 in concealed fashion,the ring 59 having one or more lugs 52 engaging slots in the sleeve 22for causing the ring to rotate with the sleeve. The ring 50 is providedwith a plurality of depressions 53, one

for and corresponding to each mark on the scale 22h. These depressions53 are adapted to receive the tapered nose of a pin 54 (Fig. 3) slidablymounted in an opening 55 in the locking collar 21 and yieldingly urgedtoward the ring 50 by a spring 5G. With this arrangement, as theadjusting sleeve 22 is rotated, the pin 54 is engaged successively inthe depressions 53, and any particular depression engaged corresponds tothe scale mark registering with the indicating mark 22e. In this way,the adjusting sleeve 22 is not only held against accidental movement butan audible clicking sound is given when the sleeve is rotated, therebyaiding the operator in making any particular adjustment.

The contact elements hereinabove mentioned Will no-w be described. Thework-engaging member I5 carries a contact element which takes the formof an elongated rod 28 fixedly secured at its forward end to the arm I5dand extending forward end of the handle I2.

The contact elements 29 are adjustably mounted l(Fig. 3). Specifically,the rear end of the casing II has its bore slightly enlarged to providea shoulder IIa upon which is seated an enlarged annular ange 35a of acup-shaped metallic contact carrier 30. The flange 39a of the contactcarrier 30 vis confined xedly upon the shoulder IIajby the inner end ofthe handle section I2 which seats thereagainst. The contacts 29 take theform of metallic screws threaded into diametrically opposed openings inthe carrier flange 39a,

the outer ends of the screws or contacts being slit and slightlyexpanded so as t insure a tight gripping engagement between the screwsand the carrier. The casing II is provided with openings IIb alignedwith the outer ends of the contact screws 29, which openings are adaptedto receive insulating screw plugs 3l protecting the contact screws andinsulating the same at the ends thereof from the casing II. Also, toinsulate the contact carrier 38 from the casing and the handle, Iprovide annular insulating elements 32 and 33 disposed between thecasing I I, handle I2 .and carrier 30. The periphery of the enlargedange of the contact carrier 39 is insulated from the casing I I bymaking the same of slightly less diameter than the adjacent inner wallof the casing, providing thereat an insulating air gap .34. The free endof the contact element or rod .28 .is flattened, and when it is engagedwith either of the contact elements 29 an electrical circuit is closedand a lamp 35 is lighted. By providing two contacts 29, the wrench isadapted for signalling when it is operated in either a right or lefthand direction.

The pressure at which the contact rod 28 will engage the contact element29 depends upon the extent of displacement of the work-engaging memberI5 and the casing II after the spring .beam I9 is engaged with thesleeve 20 and, in turn, the distance that the free end of the rod 28 hasto move in order to engage the contact element 29. That is to say, thedistance that the contact element 28 has to move to engage the contactelement 29, and thereby register a predetermined pressure, depends uponthe extent of relative rock movement between the work-engaging member I5and the casing II (after the beam I9 is engaged with the sleeve 2U),which displacement is dependent upon the extent of flexing of the springbar and the pressure applied. The inside diameter of the beam I9 and theoutside diameter of the contact bar 28 are such that, giving the beam I9its full deflection, the beam will not engage or interfere in any waywith the .contact bar 28.

The lamp 35 is mounted within the forward end of the handle I2. Moreparticularly, the usual metallic threaded base portion of the lamp isscrewed into a metallic ring 36 (Figs. 2 and 3) which is slidablyreceived within a translucent plastic sleeve 3'! that is snugly receivedwithin the This plastic sleeve 31 is preferably red in color and extendsover openings 38 .in the handle I2 and adjacent the 8. lamp 35. W'henthe lamp 35 is lighted a red light, therefore, flashes through theopenings 38. Preferably, to prevent dirt from getting inside the handleandupon the plastic sleeve 31, the openings 38 `are plugged with `aclear transparent or translucent plastic material 39.

The ring 36, with the lamp 35, is held in place by a cup-shaped sleeve40, the open end of which 'embraces the ring 36, being seated against ashoulder 36a thereon. This sleeve 40 is provided with a plurality ofopenings 40a which align with the lamp and handle openings 38 so thatthe flashing of the lamp 35 may be seen through the openings 38. Thebottom of the sleeve is prog. vided with a kerl 40h so that it can beturned with a screwdriver or the like to properly align its openings 49awith the openings 38. The closed end or bottom of the sleeve 40 isengaged by a battery 4I, upon which'is seated a second battery 42, theentire group, including the batteries 4I and 42, sleeve 4, ring 36 andlamp 35, being urged forwardly and confined as a unit by a knurled cap43 on the end of the handle and a spring 44 between the battery 42 andthe cap 43. When these parts are urged forwardly as stated, the lamp 35,or the base portion thereof, is seated against the contact carrier 30.The plastic sleeve 3'I insulat thelamp-retaining.sleeve 40 and ring 36from the handle I2.

When the parts are assembled as last described and as shown in Figs. 2and 3, thefollowing electrical circuit is provided for the lighting ofthe lamp 35 when the contacts r28 `and 29 are -engaged: The battery unit4I, 42 is grounded, as indicated in Fig. 10. The battery unit isconnected on one side with the lamp 35 by way of th'e battery 4I, sleeve40, ring 36 and the base of the lamp. It is also connected with thecontact element 29 through the lamp 35 and contact car-- rier '39. Thebattery unit is connected with the contact element 28 by way of thebattery 42, spring 44, cap 43, handle I2, casing II and workengagingmember I 5. So long as the contact element 28 is out of engagement withthe contact element 29, this circuit is open, but when the contactelements 28 and 29 are engaged, the circuit is closed and the lamp 35 islighted. That is to say, when the predetermined pressure determined byadjustment of the sleeve 22 is reached, the contacts 28 and 29 areengaged and the electric circuit is completed, the light is lighted, andthe pressure is indicated.

It is desirable that relative displacement of the work-engaging memberand the casing be limited t0 prevent over-flexing of the beam I9 as wellas to protect the contact rod 28 and contacts 29 against excesspressure. To this end, the casing is provided with a thickened innerwall portion I4 adjacent the arm I5d of the work-engaging member. Theseparts are so arranged that the sides of the arm 15d are normally spacedbut slightly (approximately .015 inch) from the wall I4. This spacing issuiiicient to always insure full flexing of the beam I9 as well asengagement of the contact'members 28 and 29 throughout the entire rangeof adjustment of the wrench. The spacing of the arm I5d will, of course,be varied to suit any particular size wrench.

In rinitially adjusting the wrench, the adjusting sleeve 22 is firstrotated `in the direction (indicated on scale 22h) of the arrow of Fig.1 to the zero position. This positions the free end of the beam in thewider portion of the abutment sleeve 20. The work-engaging member I5 andcasing II are then moved relatively to engage the free end of the beamI9 -with the abutment sleeve. When this is done, the contact element 28should engage the contact element 29 if the wrench is properly set forzero reading on the scale 22h. If the contact elements are not thenengaged, the contact 29 is adjusted to engage the contact 28 and whenthat is done the accurate zero position is established. It will be seenthat adjustment of one contact screw 29 provides adjustment of thewrench for one direction of operation, and adjustment of the otherprovides independent adjustment of the wrench for the opposite directionof operation, and that when the two are correctly adjusted the wrenchwill function equally well in either direction of operation. The taperof the wall 2| of the abutment sleeve 20 is such that, upon adjustmentof the sleeve 22 and axial shifting of the abutment 20, the beam endwill engage at variable portions therealong corresponding to theincrements of the scale 22h. The taper of the sleeve 20 and/or theincrements of the scale may be varied to suit any desired condition ofcalibration.

In the use of the structure above described,

or' pressure that he wishes to apply to the piece of Work, that is, theextent to which he wants to tighten a piece of work. The adjustingsleeve 22 iS then rotated to cause the pressure indicating mark on thescale 22b corresponding to the pressure to be indicated to register withthe indicating mark 22e on the casing II (Fig. 1). The wrench is thenapplied to a piece of work, the handle is grasped and, if a right-handthread is being set up, the wrench is rotated in a clockwise direction,as viewed in'Fig. 3. The operator continues to set up the work, applyingadditional pressure as the work offers additional resistance, until henotes the :dash of the lamp 35 through the openings 38 when theapplication of pressure is stopped. During the foregoing operation, whenthe sleeve 22 was adjusted, assuming that the sleeve was in its zeroposition, the sleeve 22 was rotated in a direction opposite to thatindicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, thereby moving the sleeve 20 forwardlyupon the spring beam I9 and thereby spacing apart the contact elements28 and 29, the extent of such spacing being dependent upon the pressureto be indicated as determined by adjustment of the sleeve 22. Thepressure to be indicated is decreased by rotating the sleeve 22 in thedirection of the arrow of Fig. 1, and vice versa when an increasedpressure is to be indicated. The beam length remains constant at alltimes. beam is required as the pressure is increased, and as thepressure is increased the members I5 and II are displaced to greaterextents through the greater flexing of the beam. As the members l5 and Il are displaced, the contact elements 28 and 29 are Amoved toward eachother and they are `nally engaged when the correct fiexing and thecorrect displacement for the pressure set occurs. When the contact ismade, the circuit is completed land the lamp flashes, indicating thatlthe predetermined pressure has been applied.

Therefore, a greater flexing of the 10 pairof relatively movablemembers, one of which is a work-engaging member and the other a handlemember, a resilient beam between said members and having one endfastened to and movable with said work-engaging member and its other endnormally free and adapted to assume an abutting relation to said handlemember upon initial relative movement of said members, means carried bysaid handle member and adjustable therealong relative to the free end ofsaid beam for establishing the abutting relationship between said beamand handle member for transmitting an operating force from said handlemember through the free end of said beam to said work-engaging memberwhile maintaining a constant effective flexing length for said beam, acontact element carried by each of said members and adapted forengagement with each other beyond the free end of the beam when saidmembers are relatively moved to an extent determined by the flexing ofsaid beam subsequent to the free end of said beam moving into abuttingrelation to said handle member, adjustment of said force transmittingabutment means relative to the free end of said beam being adapted tovary the extent said contact elements must move to engage each otherand, in turn, the pressure indicated.

2. A torque indicating wrench which comprises a pair of relativelydisplaceable members, workengaging means associated with one of saidmembers, a contact member and a resilient torque transmitting membereach having one end free and the other end lixedly connected to one ofsaid displaceable members, said contact and torque transmitting membersbeing relatively movable, an adjustable abutment adjacent the free endof said torque transmitting member and the other of said displaceablemembers, the abuttable surface of said abutment being so shaped thatsaid torque transmitting member abuts it vupon relative movement of saidpair of members at greater or lesser distances, dependent upon thedirection of adjustment, while maintaining the effective length of saidtorque transmitting member constant, and a contact element on the otherof said displaceable members adapted to engage the free end of saidcontact member beyond the free end of said torque transmitting memberupon sequential relative displacement of said pair of members andrelative movement of said contact member and torque transmitting memberto extents determined by adjustment of said abutment.

3. A torque indicating wrench comprising a pair of members pivotallyconnected together, one being adapted for connection with the work andthe other being adapted to have pressure applied thereto, a contactelement carried by each of said members and adapted to be engaged witheach other, a resilient beam secured at one end to said work-engagingmember with its other end free, an abutment carried by said pressuremember at a point between the pivotal connec- 4. A torque indicatingwrench comprising a pair of members pivotally connected together forrelative movement, one being adapted for connection with the work andthe other being adapted to have pressure applied thereto, a contactelement carried by each of said members and fixed against axial movementrelative thereto and adapted to be engaged with each other upon relativemovement of said members, a resilient beam fixedly carried at one end bysaid work-engaging member with its other end free, an adjustableabutment carried by the pressure application member for axial adjustmentrelative thereto and adapted to be abutted by and adjustable relative tothe free end of said beam at a point between the pivotal connection ofsaid members and the point of engagement of said contact elements whenthe wrench is engaged with the work and pressure is applied thereto, thebeam-engaging surface of said abutment being tapered in the direction ofthe axis of said beam whereby adjustment. of said abutment relative tothe end oi said beam operatively positions the pressure applicationmember closer to or farther from the free end oi the beam, in turnvarying the relative movement of said work-engaging and pressureapplication members upon initial application of pressure to the work, inturn varying the distance said beam and pressure members must move as aunit to cause engagement oi said contact elements, and in turn varyingthe pressure to be indicated.

5. A torque indicating wrench comprising a pair of members connectedtogether for relative movement, one being adapted for connection withthey work and the other being adapted to have pressure applied thereto,a contact element fixedly carried by each of said members and adapted tobe engaged with each other, a resiliont beam xedly carried at one end bysaid workengaging member with its otherv end free, an abutmentadjustabiy carried by the pressure application member and adapted to beabutted by the free end of said beam upon relative movement of saidmembers, which occurs when the wrench is engaged with the Work andpressure is applied thereto, the beam-engagingI surface of saidabutment. being tapered in the direction of the axis of said beamwhereby adjustment of said abutment relative to the end of said beamoperatively positions the. pressure application member closer to orfarther from the freey end of the beam, in turn varying the relativemovement of said Work-engaging and pressure application members uponinitial application of pressure to. the work, in turn varying thedistance said beam and pressure members mustl move as a unit to causeengagement of said contact elements, and in turn varying: the. pressureto be indicated, means carried by said pressure application memberindependently of said abutment for adjusting said abutment, and meansfor indicating the extent of adjustment, of said adjustable means and,in turn, the. pressure to be indicated'.

6'. A torquev indicating wrench comprisingv a pair of members connectedtogether for relative movement', one being adapted for connection withthe work and the other being adaptedl to have pressure applied thereto,a Contact element carried by each of said membersv and adapted to beengaged with each other, aresilient beam nxedly carried at one end bysaidI work-engaging memberv with its other end free and located betweenthe pointl of connection of said members and the point of engagement ofsaid contact elements, an adjustable abutment carried by the pressureapplication member and adapted to be abutted by the free end of saidbeam upon relative movement of said members, which occurs when thewrench is engaged with the work and pressure is applied thereto, thebeam-engaging surface of said abutment being tapered in the direction ofthe axis of said beam whereby adjustment of said abutment relative tothe end of said beam operatively positions the pressure applicationmember closer to or farther from the free end of the beam, in turnvarying the relative movement of said work-engaging and pressureapplication members upon initial application of pressure to the work, inturn varying the distance said beam and pressure members must move as aunit to cause engagement oi' said contact elements, and in turn varyingthe pressure to be indicated, means for adjusting said abutment axiallyof said beam, and means for yieldably retaining said adjusting means inadjusted position, said retaining means providing audible indication ofthe adjustment made.

7. A torque indicating wrench comprising a work-engaging member, amanually movable member movable relative to said work-engaging member, apair of contact elements carried by the respective members and adaptedto engage each other, a resilient tubular beam carried by saidwork-engaging member, and a sleeve earried by said manually movablemember and having a conical interior surface engageable with the freeend of said beam, said sleeve being adjustable longitudinally of thebeam to vary the extent of flexing of said beam and consequently theload necessary to eect such ilexing at the time of engagement oi' saidcontact elements, one of said elements comprising a bar extendingthrough said beam and being engageable with the other element beyond theend of the beam,

8, A torque indicating wrench comprising a work-engaging member, amanually movable member movable relative to said work-engaging member, apair of contact elements carried by the respective members and adaptedto engage each other, a resilient tubular beam carried by saidwork-engaging member, and means carried by said manually movable memberand engageable with the free end of said beam, said means being.adjustable to vary the extent of flexing of said beam and consequentlythe load necessary to effect such flexing at the time of engagement ofsaid contact elements, one of said elements comprising a bar extendingthrough said beam and being engageable with the other element beyond theend of the beam.

9. A torque indicating wrench comprising a work-engaging member, atubular manually movable member enclosing a portion of said workengagingmember and pivotally connected thereto, a pair of contact elementscarried by the respective members and adapted to engage each other uponrelative pivotal movement of said members, a resilient tubular beamrigidly connected at one end to said work-engaging member and extendinggenerally centrally within the manually movable member, and a sleevemounted within said manually movable member and having, a conicalinterior surface engageable with the free end of said beam upon relativepivotal movement of said members, said sleeve being adjustablelongitudinally of the beam to vary the extent of flexing of the beam andconsequently the load necessary to eftect such flexing at` the time ofengagement of said contact elements,` one of said Contact elementsextending radially within said manually operable member and the othercompnising a bar rigidly secured 'at one end to said Work-engagingmember and extending through said beam with its free end adjacent saidone element.

10. A torque indicating wrench comprising a Work-engaging member, amanually movable member movable relative to said work-engaging member, apair of contacts carried by the respective members and adapted to engageeach other upon relative movementof said members, a resilient tubularbeam carried by said work-engaging member, and a pair of abutmentsurfaces, one being provided on the free end of said beam and the otherprovided on an element carried by said manually movable member foradjustment 1ongitudinally of the beam, one of said surfaces beingconical whereby said adjustment varies the spacing of said contacts atthe time said surfaces first engage, one of said contacts comprising abar extending through said beam and being engageable with the othercontact beyond the end l of the beam.

11. A torque indicating Wrench comprising a Work-engaging member, atubular manually movjustment longitudinally of the beam, one of saidsurfaces being conical whereby said adjustment varies the spacing ofsaid contacts at the time said surfaces first engage, one of saidcontacts comprising a bar extending through said beam and beingengageable With the other contact beyond the end of the beam.

12. A torque indicating Wrench comprising a Work-engaging member, atubular manually movable member enclosing a portion of said workengagingmember and pivotally connected therey to, a pair of contact elementscarried by the respective members and adapted to engage each other uponrelative pivotal movement of said members, a resilient tubular beamrigidly connected at one end to said work-engaging member and extendinggenerally centrally within the tubular member, a sleeve slidablycarriedby and Within said tubular member and having a conical interiorsurface engageable with the free end of said beam upon relative pivotalmovement of said members, and a second sleeve rotatably mounted on theexterior of said tubular member for adjusting the rst mentioned sleevelongitudinally of the beam to vary the spacing of said elements at thetime said sleeve and said beam rst engage, one of said elem-entscomprising a bar extending through said beam and being engageable withthe other element beyond the end of the beam.

13. A torque indicating wrench comprising a work-engaging member, atubular manually movable memberl enclosing a portion of saidWorkengaging member and pivotally connected thereto, a pair of contactelements carried by the respective members and adapted to engage eachother upon relative pivotal movement of said members, a resilienttubular beam rigidly connected at one end to said work-engaging memberand extending generally centrally within the tubular member, a sleeveslidably carried by and within said tubular member and having a conicalinterior surface engageable with the free end of said beam upon relativepivotal movement of said members, a second sleeve rotatably mounted onthe exterior of said tubular member, and means extending through saidtubular member for connecting said sleeves to effect longitudinaladjustment of the first mentioned sleeve upon rotation of the secondmentioned sleeve, the adjustment of said rst mentioned sleeve varyingthe spacing of said elements at the time said first mentioned sleeve andsaid beam rst engage, one of said elements comprising a bar extendingthrough said beam and being engageable with the other element beyond theend of the beam.

14. A torque indicating wrench comprising a Work-engaging member, atubular manually movable member enclosing a portion of said workengagingmember and pivotally connected thereto, a pair of contact elementscarried by the respective members and adapted to engage each other uponrelative pivotal movement of said members, a resilient tubular beamrigidly connected at one end to said work-engaging member and extendinggenerally centrally Within the tubular member, a sleeve slidably carriedby and mounted Within said tubular member and having a peripheralannular groove, a second sleeve r0- tatably mounted on the exterior ofsaid tubular member and having a helical internal groove, said tubularmember having a longitudinal groove opening into said peripheral grooveand said helical groove, and a ball positioned in all of Said grooveswhereby rotation of said second sleeve effects longitudinal slidingmovement of said rst sleeve, said first mentioned sleeve having aconical interior surface engageable with the free end of said beam uponrelative pivotal movement of said members, the longitudinal adjustmentof said first mentioned sleeve adapted to vary the spacing of saidelements at the time said rst mentioned sleeve rst engages said beam,one of said elements comprising a bar extending through said beam andbeing engageable With the other element beyond the end of the beam.

15. A torque indicating wrench comprising a work-engaging member, atubular manually movable member pivotally connected to said Workengagingmember, a pair of contact elements carried by the respective members andadapted to engage each other upon relative pivotal movement of saidmembers, a resilient tubular beam rigidly connected at one end to saidwork-engaging member and extending generally centrally within thetubular member, a rst sleeve mounted Within and slidably carried by saidtubular member and having a conical interior surface engageable with thefree end of said beam upon relative pivotal movement of said members, asecond sleeve rotatably mounted on the exterior of said tubular memberfor adjusting said iirst mentioned sleeve longitudinally of the beam tovary the spacing of said elements at the time said first sleeve and saidbeam first engage, said second sleeve having a plurality of depressionsin one of its end surfaces, and a collar fixed on said tubular member inface-to-face relation with said end surface and having a spring-pressedlongitudinally movable pin engageable in said depressions to preventaccidental rotation of said second sleeve and to provide an audibleclick upon intentional rotation thereof, one of said elements comprisinga bar extending through said beam and being engageable with the otherelement beyond the end of the beam.

16` A torque indicating wrench which comprises a pair of relativelydisplaceable members, work-engaging means associated with one of saidmembers, a resilient beam having one end carried by one of said memberswith its other end free, apair of abutment surfaces one being providedon the free end of said beam and the other being' provided on a partadjustably carried by theother of said members, and a pair of contactelements carried by the respective members, the contact. element carriedby said one member eX- tending and engageable with the other contactelement beyond the free end of the beam, one of said abutment surfacesbeing tapered whereby adjustment of the adjustable part varies thespacing of said contact elements at the time said abutment surfacesfirst engage.

17. A torque indicating wrench which comprises a.- pair of relativelydisplaceable members, Workengasing means associated with one of saidmembers, a resilient beam carried by one of said members and having afree end, a pair of abut ment surfaces one being provided on the freeendof said bea-m and the other `being provided on a partearried by andadjustable longitudinally `of the other of said. members, and a pair ofcontact elements one carried by said one member and engageable with theother cont-act element beyond the free end of said bea-m, the othercontact element being secured to said other member against movementaxially thereof, one of said abutment surfaces being tapered wherebyadjustment of the adjustable Dart varies the spacing of said contactelements at the time said labut-- ment surfaces irst engage.

lS. A torque indicating wrench which comprises a pair of relativelydisplaceable members, work-engaging means associated with one of saidmembers, a resilient beam carried by one of said members and having afree end, a pair of labutf ment surfaces one being provided on the freeend of. said beam and the other 'being provided on a part adjustablycarried by :the other of said members, an `adjusting ymember foradjusting the ladjustable part and carried by said other memberindependently oi said adjustable part, yand a pair of contact elementscarried by the respective members and engageable with each other beyondthe free end of the beam, one of said abutment surfaces being taperedwhereby adjustment of the adjustable part varies the spacing of saidcontact elements at the time said abutment surfaces rirst engage.

1.9.` A torque indicating wrench comprising a pair of relatively movablemembers, one of which is adapted to be engaged with the work and theother .of which is adapted to have pressure applied directly thereto, aresilient beam between Said members, means for xedly connecting saidbeam to one-of said members with its other end normally free withrespect to the other of said members, adjustable means for effecting anabu-ttin-g relation between the free end of said beam and said othermember upon initial relative movement of said members and fortransmitting force from saidbeam to the other of said members uponrelative movement of said members subsequenttothe establishment of saidabutting relation, said adjustable means including a first adjustablemember adjustably carried by said Gil other member, a contact elementcarried by each of said members adapted to engage each other when saidmembers are moved. relatively a predetermined extent after said`abutting relation is established 'and means, including a secondadjustable member movably carried by said `other member independently ofsaid rst adjustable member for adjusting said rst adjustable means `forvarying the distance said members move relatively after theestablishment of abutting relation to engage said cont-act elements witheach other.

20.. A torque indicating wrench which comprises a pair of relativelymovable members, one a handle member and the other a work-engagingmember, a resilient beam carried by one of said members With one of itsends free `and adapted toy abut the other of said members for theapplication of pressure therethrough upon an initial predeterminedrelative 4movement of said members, a contact element carried by each orsaid members `adapted to engage each other beyond the free end of saidbeam upon a further predetermined relative movement of said membersafter said initial predetermined relative movement, and means carried byone of said members and adjustable axially of said beam `andindependently of said contact elements for varying said initialpredetermined relative movement of said members and, in turn, saidfurther predetermined relative movement to vary the pressure indicated.

2l. A torque indicating wrench including tubular handle member having atubular body portion, a tubular` flexure member within said body portionpivotally connected thereto and having an exterior end` adapted to beconnected to a Werl: head, an internally tapered sleeve eucompassing theinterior end ol said fleXure member and supported within said bodyportion for axially adjustable positioning relative to said interior endwhereby the spacing 4between said interior end and said internal taperis varied within predetermined limits, said sleeve con'- nected to andmovable with said handle member and providing an initial movement ofsaid handlev member without transmission oi torque toy `said lexuremember until said tapered member-engages the interior end of saidilexure member, subsequent movement of said handle member beingoperative to transmit torque load through said flexure member to saidwork head, signal means including relatively movable normally spacedelements, contact therebetween being operative to energize said signalmeans, one such element being movable with the handle member, saidinitial move-ment of said handle member beingv operative to decrease thenormal spacing between said elements7 and said subsequent movement beingoperative to close contact between said elements upon application of apredetermined applied torque to the handle member.

22. A torque indicating wrench comprising, a handle member having arelatively movable work head attached thereto, a fleXure member oftubular form attached to said work head, spaced `abutment means on saidhandle member engageable with said flexure member to transmit torquefrom the handle member to the work head, and signal actuating meansincluding an electrical citocuity closing element secured to said workhead and extending axially through the tubular iiexure member.

HENRY ROBERT BILLETER.

(References on following page) I7 REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are of record in the file of Johs partent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Benko Oct. 21, 1924 ZimmermanSept. 26, 1939 Number T 2,250,941 2,300,652 2,303,411

